Tila Tequila and Shawne Merriman Settle Suits

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Attorneys say San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman and reality television star Tila Tequila have settled dueling lawsuits.

Merriman was arrested by sheriff's deputies Sept. 6 after Tequila accused him of battery and false imprisonment at his suburban San Diego home.

Prosecutors declined to charge Merriman but Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, filed a lawsuit that alleged the linebacker choked her. Merriman sued for international interference with a contract, claiming the controversy delayed a T-shirt business he was negotiating with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Tequila attorney Cyrus Nownejad said Tuesday he won't disclose terms of the settlement. Neither will Merriman attorney Andrew Skale, who said the dispute was resolved amicably.

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Merriman Responds to Tequila

SAN DIEGO - Using her webcam at home on Thursday, Tila Tequila accused Shawne Merriman of being a pedophile and a racist.

"He sleeps with minors and forces them to take drugs. So he sleeps with these little girls," Tila charges in her video. "He don't even like black girls -- he don't even support black people -- so I don't understand why you support him."

The video diatribe was posted Thursday morning. Tequila and her attorney have filed a $1.5 million dollar civil suit against Merriman following an incident in September at his home; an incident District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis declined to pursue in criminal court.

"The DA's office has said in the previous case I didn't do anything wrong," Merriman said. "There's no criminal matter being done and it's just obvious at this point of what it is and we're just going to wait and see."

As for being called a pedophile and racist, Merriman called the accusations disgusting and said Tequila's video is a disturbing look inside a troubled soul.

"I haven't paid attention to that at all," claimed Merriman. "I think that a lot of that speaks for itself and I just let her talk about those things and that doesn't do anything for me or anybody else. I'm just concentrating on Denver and that's the only thing that's important to me right now."

Tequila's attorney also noted that he stands by his client and is going full speed ahead with the civil case.

	Merriman Responds to Tila 11/19/09 The Tila Tequila/Shawne Merriman spat has taken a twist into the surreal. Using her webcam at home, Tequila accuses Merriman of being a pedophile and a racist.
	Balanced News, Balanced Views 11/19/09 We asked you about the latest accusations from Tila Tequila against Shawn Merriman.

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Lawsuit Filed

SAN DIEGO - Reality show hostess Tila Tequila filed a civil lawsuit this week against San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, accusing him of assault, battery, false imprisonment and emotional distress.

The lawsuit stems from a Sept. 6 incident at the NFL star's home in Poway, in which Tequila -- whose real name is Tila Nguyen -- claims Merriman choked her as she tried to leave.

In the suit, Nguyen's attorney claims, "as she was leaving, he grabbed [Nguyen] by her arms, and as she tried to break free, Defendant continued to hold her and shake her like a 'rag doll'...[Merriman] aggresively and forcefully threw [Nguyen] to the couch, causing her fear, apprehension, and bodily harm to her jaw, neck, arms and back."

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, was first reported early Tuesday on the celebrity Web site TMZ.com. It was filed in San Diego.

Sheriff's deputies took the former Pro Bowl linebacker into custody the night of the incident after Nguyen signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing him of battery and false imprisonment. He was released hours later.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis declined to press charges, finding there was "insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed."

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Merriman said he was protecting the 4-foot-11, 93-pound woman because she was intoxicated and wanted to drive home. Nguyen denied being drunk.

On the same early morning of the attack, the couple was spotted partying at Stingaree nightclub in downtown San Diego, where Nguyen was photographed giving Merriman a lap dance.

Despite the new lawsuit, Charger fan Scott Potter said he still believes Merriman. "She's been a glory seeker her whole life, basically it sounds like she's looking for more publicity."

He continued, "there was a party going on and there were a number of people there, if this was really such a big issue, somebody would have seen something and come forward and we haven't seen any of that."

Tila Tequila Sues Merriman 11/17/09 Tila Tequila says she's finally setting the record straight about exactly what happened in her altercation with Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Earlier Reports:

	Your Facebook Responses  Without criminal charges being filed against Shawne Merriman, will the Tila Tequila situation continue to be a distraction for the Chargers?
	No Charges 9/11/09 Tila Tequila's accusations against Charger's linebacker Shawne Merriman have been kicked to the curb by the District Attorney.
	Sex Scandals 9/10/09 The investigation continues into a former Orange County lawmaker, caught on tape talking about sexual encounters with a lobbyist. Plus, Tila Tequila is expected top meet with the DA.
	Merriman/Tila Feud 9/8/09 The feud between reality TV star Tila Tequila and Charger's linebacker Shawne Merriman grows uglier.
	Conflicting Stories 9/7/09 MTV reality show star Tila Tequila has Shawne Merriman arrested for assault. Others say Merriman was trying to keep her from driving drunk.
	Balanced News, Balanced Views 9/7/09 - We asked for your thoughts about the incident involving Shawne Merriman and Tila Tequila.
	Merriman Arrest 09/06/2009 Chargers player Shawne Merriman arrested. He is accused of choking reality TV star Tila Tequila.